SUPER-STANDARD STRAINS 



Witloof 



STOKES 



GHOWIXC SINCE I87J 



SEEDS 



A European vegetable of great merit, and one that deserves more general cultivation in this country 

 Two pounds of seed will plant an acre of roots. An acre of roots will produce 

 from 5,000 to 10,000 pounds of Witloof 



West Lands Strain 



Witloof, or French Endive, is a highly developed type of common Chicory. The name Witloof is 

 Flemish for "white leaf." Witloof is the basis of one of the most delicious salads. It has been grown 

 and highly prized in Europe for half a century, but its cultivation in the United States has been slow. 

 Belgian, French, and Holland gardeners have been exporting Witloof to America in thousands of 

 pounds, at prices ranging from 25 cents to $1 per pound on our markets. We look on Witloof as the 

 coming new winter vegetable for America. The demand for it is constantly on the increase, and the 

 market for it is becoming more firmly established all the time. It is not difficult of propagation. The 

 two important operations are the growing of the roots, which is not difficult, and the forcing of the 

 heads, a process which can be mastered by anyone equipped for it. Thoroughness and determination 

 can overcome any minor difficulties. 



The most important feature about making a success with Witloof is in securing the very best seed 

 available. Price should be no object. Use only seed that has proven itself worthy. Our Witloof 

 strain is stock which is now used in southern Holland by some of the most successful growers whose 

 Witloof is marketed all over Europe. We offer it with the assurance that it will give an admirable 

 performance. Below we give some elementary suggestions on culture. We also recommend that you 

 read Herman Van Aken's book "Witloof Culture" (64 pages, fully illustrated, sent for $1 postpaid). 

 We repeat, that those who take up the production of Witloof in the early stages of the industry in 

 America will no doubt profit greatly. Start in a small way, correct your mistakes, do your work 

 thoroughly, develop your markets, and you will soon have a lucrative business. Price, delivered: 

 Pkt. 25 cts.; oz. 75 cts.; ^lb. $2.75; lb. $10; 5 lbs. or more, $9.50 per lb. 



Cultural Suggestions 



Soil. Light mellow loam of only medium fertilization. 

 Fertilization. 200 pounds phosphoric acid per acre (soluble 

 form) ; 200 pounds muriatic potash per acre. 

 Use only well-decomposed manure if any. 



Preparation of the Soil. Fall plowing desirable; disc in 

 the spring. Prepare to a depth of 10 inches. 



Growing of the Roots. Seed should be planted between 

 May 15 and June 1; in some southerly districts, June 13. 

 Roots develop in about four months, and they go to seed if 

 given too long a season, making them worthless. Plant in rows 

 16 inches apart; thin to 8 inches. For horse cultivation, plant 

 in rows 2^2 feet apart, in which case roots may be grown every 

 5 inches. Inter-planting with other crops is discouraged. Seed 

 should sprout within five or six days. The usual cultivation 

 should not be neglected. Medium-size roots are best. Do not 

 over-irrigate. Transplanting of the young plants is possible if 

 done with care. 



Harvest and Preparation of the Roots. Roots will be 

 ready to be lifted in October. Use a one-horse plow with 

 mouldboard removed, and set plow deep, at least 7 mches. 

 Shake the roots clear of earth, cut off leaves with a 

 sharp knife, 1 inch above the crown, and cut off 

 all side-roots. Give the roots three or four 

 weeks rest period before forcing — this is 

 important. Handle carefully as re- 

 gards temperature. Three or four 

 days in the open air, but not in y 

 the sunlight, will be bene- 

 ficial. After that cover 

 them' with sufficient 

 leaves, straw, etc., to 

 preserve moisture, 

 but not enough 

 to allow mold. 



Forcing Witloof. There are two principal methods: Forc- 

 ing in the open, which develops heads in the early spring; and 

 forcing in greenhouses and sheds, which brings heads to ma- 

 turity in about four weeks. In either case, light, mellow soil is 

 desirable as clay soil will not develop the proper heads. In 

 forcing Witloof, prepare, in advance, a trench in which the 

 roots are placed upright in rows touching each other. They are 

 then covered with a layer of mellow, well-sifted soil to a depth 

 of about 1 foot, the heads developing in this soil when given the 

 proper temperature. Forcing heat is supplied either from the 

 heat of fresh stable manure or from steam-pipes placed about 

 6 inches below the level of the roots. 



Preparation and Packing for Market. Heads reach then- 

 best market form when about 7 

 ~. inches long. Great care should 



be taken in removing the new 

 heads out of the soil. Take off 

 all brown or partly decayed 

 leaves. For distant markets, 

 ^ Witloof is usually 



cleaned dry. Wash- 

 ing will not im- 

 7 " prove its keeping 

 qualities. It is often 

 packed in boxes 18 

 by 1 1 by 5 inches. 

 These boxes hold 

 about 1 5 pounds of 

 solid Witloof. Ordi- 

 narily you can ex- 

 ' pect to gather about 

 50 per cent first- 

 grade Witloof, 30 

 per cent second- 

 grade. Your waste 

 will be about 20 per 

 cent, even with the 

 very best seed. 



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